Foods That Are Good for Your Dog and Foods That Can Be Harmful to Them

Dogs just love human food and we don’t blame them, there are some delicious treats out there! However, these treats can be very dangerous to our furry friends and it’s our responsibility to make sure they stay away from them. That’s why it’s important to be familiar with the foods that are bad for canines and the safe, healthy alternatives available.

Bright Side would like to tell you about 10 foods that dogs must avoid and what they can have instead.

1. Coconut

Coconuts eaten in moderation won’t seriously harm your dog, but the flesh and the milk of coconuts contain oils that may cause loose stools, stomach upset or diarrhea. Coconut water is high in potassium, so it shouldn’t be given to your pup.

A good alternative treat is the carob. It has a naturally sweet flavor and is totally safe for your dog. It also includes a bunch of healthy nutrients such as vitamins A, B, and D, as well as calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, and protein.

2. Cooked bones

A lot of people give bones to their dogs because they think dogs love that treat. Our furry friends may indeed enjoy chewing on them, but the truth is that cooked bones of any kind are extremely dangerous to them. Broken bones’ edges can be very sharp which could cause severe damage to their mouths, tongues, stomachs, and intestines.

Raw meat bones, on the other hand, are safe for dogs. However, it’s important to know that you should take it away from them after 10 to 15 minutes because otherwise, they’ll start getting too small and the dog could ingest it and choke.

3. Nuts

Macadamia nuts are highly toxic to dogs and can cause vomiting, ataxia or weakness, fever, muscle tremors, and depression. Another type of nut you need to be wary of is walnuts. Giving any kind of walnuts to your dog may cause gastric or intestinal upset or even an obstruction. Other kinds of nuts may not be as highly toxic to our pups, but because of their high level of oils and fats, they could cause vomiting and diarrhea, and potentially pancreatitis.

Peanuts and cashews are not toxic to dogs, but because they’re high in fat they need to be given in moderation and should not become a regular treat.

4. Avocados

Everyone’s favorite healthy food, the avocado, may not be so healthy for dogs. They contain a toxin called persin which can cause serious damage and even death to some animals. According to doctors, dogs are more resistant to that toxin than other animals, but its dangers are still there so it’s better to be safe than sorry.

An alternative fruit that dogs can eat is the banana. They’re high in potassium, vitamin B6, C, magnesium, and fiber. But give them to your dogs in moderation because they contain a lot of sugar.

5. Raw meat

Raw meat (fish included) may be dangerous not only to your dog but to you as well. Raw food may contain harmful bacteria such as salmonella. And despite the benefits a raw meat diet could potentially have, the dangers outweigh them.

However, lean,cooked meat is absolutely fine for a dog to eat as long as there are no bones in it.

6. Sweets

Sweets such as candy, gum, and even baked goods can be harmful to your dog’s health. What they all have in common is xylitol. It’s safe in humans, but it’s highly toxic to dogs and it could lead to low blood sugar, seizures, liver failure, or even death.

Some types of peanut butter are safe for dogs as long as they don’t contain xylitol.

7. Milk and dairy products

Many canines are lactose intolerant, so giving them milk or other dairy products may not be a great idea. They don’t pose major threats to our pets’ health, but they can cause loose stools, gas, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.

A healthy and safe alternative would be oatmeal. It’s high in fiber and contains vitamins, nutrients, minerals, and antioxidants which will keep your pet healthy.

8. Cherries

Dogs shouldn’t eat cherries because their pits, stems, and leaves contain cyanide, a poisonous chemical that can be lethal if consumed in high quantities. Maraschino cherries have their stems and pits removed, but they’re still unsafe for dogs as they’re very high in sugar.

Kiwis are a good alternative. They’re safe for dogs as long as you make sure to remove the skin before feeding them to your pup. They’re very rich in Vitamin C as well.

10. Bread dough

If your dog consumes bread dough, that could mimic bloating as the yeast is making the dough rise and it will also release toxic levels of ethanol into your pet’s bloodstream. All that can cause weakness, depression, unsteadiness, hypothermia, seizures, and coma.

However, plain white or wheat bread is safe for dogs to eat as long as they don’t have allergies to it and the bread is seed-free.

Do you know what other foods are bad for our furry friends and which ones are safe? Please share them with everyone so we can make sure our pups stay safe and healthy!